I think I'm ready for the next level

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Hopegirl

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2008

Posts : 721

Posted 3/16/2009 6:42 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

Okay so right now for some reason my rhuemy decided to down my pain meds of percocet to 5/325, 150 2x's for lyrica a day, and 30 mgs of cymbalta. And for breakthru pain 50 mgrs of tramadol.

It's not getting it at all. I have to take at least 2 percets and more tramadol and I'm still in pain. I don't know what the next level is but I do believe I am there. I have been taking pain medication for the last 10 years. No one knew what was wrong with my neck for the last 8.5 years. I was give PT, and all kinds of meds, tylenol 3, ibuprophen 800 mgs, flexeril 10 mgs, soma, vicodin, percocet 1050/750 (not quite sure of the numbers but it was a much higher dose) and a patch for my back which didn't do anything (Lidocaine). My doctor wants me to exercise more and I try to explain to her withouth sending myself into a flair which I can no longer control with med's I just don't see me running a marathon. Sometimes I feel like I should look for another rhuemy. What do you guys think? I do try hot showers and biofreeze too, but that only helps so much. No I'm getting migranes and I have to see a nuerologist on Thursday.

Any advice would be much appriciated

getting by

Forum Moderator

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 45296

Posted 3/16/2009 6:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Hopegirl,

A lot of doctors are cutting back on pain meds except for cancer patients. My husband got cut down from 10/325 percocet (endocet) to 10/350 vicodin (norco). It is a huge cut back, but he doesn't want to prescribe strong narcotics anymore. So don't feel alone. I take norco and that is fine with me. But it is nice to have something stronger for the pain. I guess we just get to a point where we have to live with it. Though that is easier said than done.

I am glad that you are going to pt. That is good for you. I know that they expect a lot out of you, but it is good to move around. I was able to get out for a short walk yesterday and today due to weather changes. There is still snow and ice on the roads so I wasn't able to go far, but it sure was nice to get out.

I hope that you can handle the med adjustment. I hope that the doctor gave you enough to wean down. I am sure that you aren't happy about the change, but they are all doing it, so I don't know if changing rheumys would make any difference, it may make it worse.

Best wishes for a wonderful painfree day.

Hugs, Karen

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